Air-cushioning device.



A. Ni. BNGS.

AIR CU SHi0N|NG DEVICE. APPLICATION man FEB. 6.1917.

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A. M. BANGS.

AIR CUSHIONING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. e. IsII.

1,289,082. I Patented Dec. 31, 1918,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.` n i' ANSON M. BANGS, 0E SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA.

AIR-CSHIONING DEVICE.

To all 'who/1t i?? may Concern.'

Be it knownthat LAANsoN M. Bases a citizen of the United States, and a resident of South Bethlehem,in the county of Easton and State of Pennsylvania, bave invented certain new and useful Imp. wements 1n Air-Cushioning Devices, of' which the'following is a specification.

The invention relates to an air-cushioning device that is placed between the underframe and axle of a vehicle in order to lessen the shocks due to unevenness of the road over which the vehicle passes. If the air-cushion ing' device is secured at one. end directly to the underframe ofthe vehicle and at the other end directly to the axle it can be employed to take at least some of the load from the usual springs which are located between the underframe and the axle.A

As showing a specific embodiment of the to a portion of the axle. This is a sectional.

view lookingtoward Lthe side of the vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a vvertical elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. This is a view looking toward the end of the vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a view taken as on the, plane indicated b v the line 8 3 of Fig. 1 looking Figs. 4 to 1G inclusive show details of different parts which are employed in the air cushioning device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A portion of a longitudinally extending side member of a vehicle-bodyunderframeis designated b v and a portion of atransversely extending axle of the vehicle is designated by Y. -The air-cushioning device 'is designated by Z. The, upper portion of a casing` l of this deviceis connected to the underfranie `X in any suitable manner, as by bolts The lower end of a. movable member 2 within thisl casing 1 is connected in any suitable manner to the axle Y as by means of connecting mechanism M. The casing 1 just referred to may be considered as a body member of the. air-cushioning device Z beause it is the part which is connected to the body-that is to the ,undyeijfy -trame ofthe body. .This casing and the partsv carried thereby may be arbitrarilyl referred to as the fixed member ot theair-cushiomng Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 6. 1917. Serial No. 146,934.

device Z, in order to distinguish it from the y member 2 and its associated parts whiclr4 may be arbitrarily referred to as the movable member of the air-cushioning device. This member 2 may also be referred to as the axle member of thel air-cushioning device because of its being connected to the axle'.`

The casing or Xed member 1 of the aircushioning device Z comprises an outer tubular shell or outer cylinder 3, a cap or head l, a piston-rod 5 which is carried bythe head' -1 and a pump-piston 6 that is on-tlie` lower end of the piston-rod 5. This fixedl `shell 3. This head may be referred to as the f lower fixed head. The casing or' shell has 5 a'ldependingprotecting apron 8. v The movable member i2 of the air-cusl1s ioning device Z comprises an'fiiilier tubular shell. or inner cylinder 9 which extends into the outer tubular shell or outer cylin- Y der 3 above referred to. On the vexterior of tbe upper end of this shell 9 there is pro# vided what may be. referred to as the outer portion 10 of a piston or head H. This outer portion ot' the piston or head yhasl jashers or packing' rings 101i-, 10", 10. The' shell 9 has upon it a surrounding ledgei)irl and theupper exterior portion of 'said shell is preferably threaded at 9" ,whereby the'r i packing ring 10* can be clamped in place." against the ledge 911 by means of a ringor nut 11. Between the nut -11 and another ring or nut 12 the packing rings 10a. 1()"`are j clampedf said pac-king rings being;- sepaklv n rated by a ring 13VV which may also be a clamping-nut, if it is desired to make itv so as to perform this function. On the inte- 'f rior of the upper end of this shell 9 therey is provided what may be referredl to as the i 'i inner portion 14 of a movable. pistonlor head H. This inne-r portion of the piston or head has a washer or packing ring 14a. This .packing ring 14 is clamped in place between an inner ledgef 15 andV a clamping ring or nut 16 having a screw-thread e'on-A nection at 9c with the shell 9. The outer. portion 10, the upper end of the slell 9 and movable member 2. The washers'olr .the e'x"' terion of this.head, t0 wit,4 the washers ori, 'i

i1o5` the inner portion 14 together constitutejthe y piston or head H at the npper,end'.of\tl1e ton rod 5. On tl: -p if this head H there is located a liquid, suh as oil, that pro vides a lliquid seal L between the head and o parts which define this space may be considered to constitute the compression chainber of the air-cushioning device. rl`he washers or packing rings and 10"- in the outer portionof the piston or head H lit the in'- terior of the outer shell 3 and are arranged So asto oppose the flow of luidoil or air-'- from-the space above the head downwardly past said packing rings. The packing ring' .14 1fits the exterior of the piston rod and `is arranged so asto oppose the flow of fluid-oil or ain-downwardly` past said packing ring. ,This packing ring is constructed, however, so as 4to permit the flow of air upwardly along the piston rod past said' packing ring' whereby the air can flow into 4Athe compression chamber A. as will hereinafter appear'.v They pump piston G heretofore referred to is located below the inner portion 14 of the head H and within the inner shell 9. This pump piston is provided with a packing ring 6 which engages andfit-s the inner portion of the shell 9. The shell 9, the inner portion 14, the pump piston 6 and the pistonitid 5 constitute the essential elements of a pump P having z pump chamber B@ i From 'the drawings it will .be observed that the inner portion 14 of the piston or head H constitutes or provides the head of the pump P. As the inner portion ldlc and the 'pump piston f5 approach each other .the

' volume of the l'niiiipchamber is of course vcorrespondingly decreasedfand air within the pump chainbei-fprovidinfr the pressure Within the pump chamber B is greater than the pressure within the compression chamber B past .the packing;r ring 14j f into theI compression chamber A. It' will here be noted that the. packingr 14L performs the function of' a kvalve that allows the flow of air fro'xiithe' pump chamber B into the com,-

fingring 7 haviri'g afsliding'fit with the ex' pression chamber A',`but which prevents 'any y .#.ite'ri'or 'of the inner shell' 9.," In the space yID,defineddby A.the outle'rrtubular shell `3, the4 outer portion 110" of the 4movable piston or Ahead H, the shell and the lower fixedv head 7 there can be Lentra'ppcd air, The parts de fining this' 'space may be considered as the parts provide a'rebound chamber for head.

,gaseosa the air-cushioningr device. The packing ring 10" fits the interior of the shell 3 and is arranged to oppose the flow of air upwardly fronithe reboundchamber l) past the removable head H, to wit, past the outer portion 110 of said head. .Vhen the pres* sure within the pump chamber B reaches a certain upward limit it can then flow from the pump chamber past a normally closed check-valve 17' into the rebound chai'nber. This flow of air from the pump chamber B 4into the rebound chamber D takes place only when'k the volume within the rebound chamberandwlien the voluinewithin the pump chamber are both decreasing. The function of this rebound chamber is tomini4 mize any shock which may result from the movable member 2 of the inf-cushioning device Z moving suddenly downward relative to the fixed member 1 of the airlcushioning device directly after-.the air within the compression chamber A has beeircompressed due to -a preceding upward movement of the movable member. within the. rebound chamber remains en'- trapped in this chamber during the entire downward movement of the movable niember 2. However. the instant this member 2 starts to move upwardly, orhnmediately upon the, axle of the vehicle and the under-V frame approaching each other, there is a release of the air that is eiitrapped within -the rebound chamber, said release. Abeing; ef-

fected as by the opening of a valve V which takes place prior to or practically simultaconiplished will be hereinafter more fully described.

At the lower end of the inner shell 9 there is .secured in position a head 18, vwhich head may be referred to as the lower movable A plany view and a cross-sectional elevation of this hea-d is shown in Figs. l and 5 respectively, Fig. 5 being a vertical view taken yas on the plane indicated by the line -of Fig. 4 looking in the direction 'of the arrows. y ln this head 18 there is. screwed a nut 19, a vertical side elevational and a bottom view of this nut being clearly Ishown, respectively, iii..1"igs. 9 `and 10.

Figs. land 14, the conical portion of.

The air tlie- .valve V fitting-against the seat portion'.

18a. The height or depth it of the valve V' is lesshthan the distance from the seat to, the bottom Vof the nut'19, when'the latter 'f is in place, so that 'the valveYl can be raised a vplace by a nut having a gland '26. The nut 25.is.shown in Figs. 11 and 12. vThev knuckle member 21 is secured to the connecting mechanism M by means of a pin 2T and it will be observed that the knuckle member 21 has a shoulder 28 which when being raised engages the under side of the nut 25 that. in turn is seated' on the under side ofthe lower movable head 18. In otherwords, there is a direct thrust of the knuckle member 21 against the under side member 21 is pressing against the under side of the nut 25 the valve V is awa)7 from its seat. Then the valve Y is away from its seat it allows the flow of air from the rebound" chamber D through openings or. passageways :29 and 30 in the inner shell 9 and openings or passageways 31 and 32 in the head 18 past the valve V, thence throughopenings or passageways 33 vand 3l of the nut 19 into the space which is provided by the li'ead 18, shell 9 and pump piston 6.

lThis siace C is referred to as'tlie. storage space ecause air is stored therein. From this space air flows past the packing ring Ga of the pump piston (Sinto the pump chamber B and the packing ring` can perform the functionkof a valve between the storage space C andthe pump chamber B. During the'time that the meii'iben).` is being moved upwardly relative to the pump piston ('i the pressure of air in the storage space is approximately thejsam'e as t'lie pressnijeof air -iii the 'rebound chamber l). due tothe fact that thefvalve VZ-is ott' its seat and allows air to tlow from-the rebound chamber D into the storage space C.' As the member 2 moves downwardly relative to the pump vpiston (i, that is, as the lower head 18 re- .45.

cedes from the pumpA piston (i. the. valve Y is' closed and t'lie storage space is continuously increasingin volume. rl`lie aii cannot escape from' the "storage space to the atmosphere Adue \to a check-valve *ll which closes the pasageway leading from a breather l" to the storage space When.

-'however, the pressure within the storage space C falls a sniall amount below atiiiosphei'ic pressure the pressure of the outside air forces the check-valve ll upward away fioiii its sea't against the pressure of a spring and the air can flow through passageways 3G and 25T that aic iii tlie lower movable head 18 into the storage space The breather l" comprises a small perforated casing 3H which is screwed iiito the lieadi18 and there is held iii place by means of agland or nut 39 any suitable filtering material. as JJ). for instance mineral wool.- 'l`hfunction of this breather l` is to filter bound chamber D.

parts carried thereby it will be observed that this piston rod is secured in the cap or head l by means of a nut l1. In order to prevent a leakage of air from the interior of the compression chamber A between a shoulder 42 of the piston rod 'and the cap or head 4 there is provided a packing ring 43, The piston rod 5 has a longit-udini'illy extending bored opening 44 through which there is introduced a relief valve RV. The movable member 45 of this valve RV presses against a seat 46' which is at the end of lanut 47. The pressure of a spring 48 of this valve is regulated by the adjusting of arod 4S) which has a screw-threaded end 50. A locknut 51 serves to lock the rod 19 in its adjusted position. W'hen the air within the pump chamber exceeds -a certain pressure it can cause ran opening of the valve RV whereby air can flow from the pump chamber B through openings or passageways '52, 53, 5l' past the movable member 45 of the valve, through openings or passa eways 55 and 56 intoa storage space C. he valve RV which comprises said movable member 45 may be referred to as the relief valve between the pump chamber and the storage space. `Thecheckvalve 17 previously described may be referred to as the relief valve between the pump chamber B and;` the re- T he relief valve. RV-between the pump chamber and lthe storage space is 'preferably set so that itwill not open until after the relief valve 17 has been opened. In other words, when a. certain pressure within the pump chamber is reached the relief valve 17 allows a Howof air from the pump chambeiginto therebound .chamber and when a suiliciently higher pressure in the pump chamber hasl been reached the relief valve RV allows a flow of air from. the pumpchamber into the storage space. The liquid L in the compression chamber' A tends to seal any air pressed into the chamber A so as to prebefore the device has been used or toreplace i air which may have leaked fioiii the space. from any cause Whatever. ln orderto facilitate the initial insertion of air into this compression 'chamber A, as by means of..

mit the flow of air into the compression passageway 59 is also provided through which the oil for the liquid seal L may be supplied. The passageway or opening 59 is' A normally closedby a plug 60.

movable head`18, it will be observed that the Y Heverting for the instant to the openings or passagewavs 31. 32gand 36 in the lower outer ends of these openiugsare also closed,

respectively, by plugs 61, 62 and 63. The mechanism M which connects the movable axle Y and the movable member 2vcomprises a pair of yoke. members 6l and'65 which are clamped by meansof bolts 66 upon the housing of the rear axle Y. Use `may also be made of such members as webs 67v and 68 to prevent any turning of the clamps about the axle. yThe yoke member 64 has 'a projecting vear portion 69 having a vertically Yextending bored opening 70. To this ear (S9 there is secured a socket member 71 which provides a horizontally .extending bored opening 72 vand this socket member 1s carried by a-bolt 73 constituting a shank for I said socket member 71. This bolt 7 3 extends tl1roi 1gh'the opening 70 and is held in place by pairs of nuts 74 and 75.` A nut .76'serves to lock the bolt 73 in place vupon the socket member 71 whereby the bolt can serve asa v shank for said member. Through the opening 72 there extends a rod 77 whichy is conneet-ed to the knuckle member 21 by the pin vertical vmovement between the axle Y and the underframe X of the vehicle will effect. due to the 'connections described, a `vertical movement of the movable member 2 of the air cushioning device Z relative to the fixed member 1 of saidv air cushioning device.

It'will be observed that any'upward movement or approach of the member 2 relative to the fixed member 1 will cause a decrease in volume of the compression chamber and also in the storageA space and that it will cause an increase in volume in the pump chamber and in the rebound chamber. During this time the air is consequently being compressed in the-chamber A and aircan 'also flow from the storage spade into the pump chamber, provided the, pressure of air in the storage space is then greater than the pressure within the pump ch. mber. Also during this same period the re ound chamber Dis practically ineffective b/ecause.

the air is free to flow from the rebound chamber'into the storage space as the v'alve V is then open. When, however, the movable or axle member 2 is being moved away from therelatively fixed member oflthe air pression chamber A is' increasing and the air therein is expanding, the volume of the pump chamber B 1s decreasing and air Will flow from the pump chamber B into thecompressionychamber A when the pressure of air in the pump chamber exceeds that in the compression chamber, the volume of the storage space C is increasing and external air can be sucked into said space past the check-valve E providing the air in said storage space falls below the pressure of y the external air, and the volume of the re- "bound chamber D is decreasing whereby the air entrapped in said chamber-due to the valve V then vbeing closed-can serve to absorb any recoil resulting from the tendency to expand the air which is in the compres-4 sion chamber.

From what has previously been stated it will/be observed that the aii within the rebound chamber is released by the valve V being opened immediately upon theapproach v of the ax-le Yand underframe X. The airl vwithin the pump chamber cannot be comjpressed beyond a certain amount-providf ing the pressure within the rebound chamber D is less than that in the pump chamber B- because of the relief va1ve17 Which-"will under those conditions permit a flow fromuthe pump chainberB into the rebound chamber D, when Va predetermined pressure within the pump chamber has been reached.

Should, however, the pressure Within the pump chamber and the rebound chamber exceed and "should the air within the pump chamber be compressed to a still higher pres*l said predetermined amount sure then a second relief valve RV may be provided to permit a flow of air fromthel pump chamber B into the storage space C.

lt ywilltherefore be seen that under no conditions can the pressure within the pump chamber exceed a certain amount, due to the relief valves 17 and RV. In some forms of the apparatus it may be practicable to eliminate onevlor both of these'relief valves `but the nicety ofv regulation. of the pressures would be correspondingly lessened.

T h improvements hereinset forth are not limited to the. precise. constructionfndarrangement shown! and described for they.,

may vbe embodied. in variousl forms'and modi-,

fcations Without Adeparting from the spirit jand scope of the'inv'entlion. A ,i

. What I claim anddesireto secure hy ters Patcntof the United States is: l

1. An air-cushioning device 'of the' classi; described comprising in combination'fa bodyy member and an axle memberjvonstrutedlso 7,0 cushioning device the volume of the com- 1 member and a movable mei'nber constructed 'so fas to provide a compression chamber, Aa2 15.

Apump for forcing air into the compression chamber, and a rebound cha'uiber, the construction also being such that when the pres- 'sure within tliepump exceeds a certain amount' air can escape through the shell ofthe pump into the rebound'chamber'pasti ya reliel:` valve on the shell.

3, A.n air-cushioning device of the class y, described' comprising in combination a body member, an axle member, which body and axle 'members are constructed so that they y, provide between them a compression chainbei', a pump for-forcing air into said coinpression chamber, a reboundchamber, and means forpermitting lthe escape of air from the rebound chamber prior to or simultaneously with the decreasing in volume of the compression chamber.

`, LQAn air-cushioning device of the class described comprising in combination a body member having an outer shell' and a pistn rod.: carried thereby having at the lower end n thereof a pump piston, an axle member slidable in said outer shell, said' axle member 'comprising an inner shell having at the up- "per end thereof inner and outer head portions, the outer head portion of which engages the inner wall of said outer` shell and the inner head portion of which engages the piston rod, there being a slidable engagement between the inner part of the inner shell and said pump piston, a washer or packing ring in said inner head portion ,which permits a fiow from the pump chamber that is between said pump piston and said inner head portion into acom ression lchamber that is within said outer sv elland above the head which comprises said inner andouter head portions, and packing rings in said outer head portion which oppose the lion" of fluid from said coi'npres'sion chamber.

, 5; An air-cushioning device of the class.

v ""deseribed comprising in combination a body member having an outer shell. a piston.r0d with a pump piston carried thereby,lan axle inei'nber having an inner sliell, and inner and outer portions of a move-ble head at the g upper end oi said inner shell, which outer head portion is provided with packing ings that engage said outer shell and which inner head portion is provided with a packingv ring that engages said piston rod, said outer shell lalso having a fixed head which extends to the inner shell,` there being provided, in the space. between the outer shell, the piston rod and the movable head, a compression chamber, and within the inner shell and between the inner portion ot' the movable head and pump piston a pump chamber,there also being provided, in the space which is defined by the iiinei' and outer shells, the outer portion of the movable head and the fixed head, a rebound chamber.

' (i. An air-cushioning device of the yclass described comprising in coinbinatioi'i a body member having` an outerishell, a piston rod with a pump piston carried tliereby, an axle member having an inner shell, and inner and outer portions 'of Ia movable head at the upper end of said inner shell, whichouter head portion is provided with packing rings that engage said outer shell and which innerliead portion is provided with a packing ringthat engages said piston rod, said outer shell also having a fixed head which extends to the inner shell, there being provided, in the space between the outer shell, the piston rod and the movable head,a compression chamber, and withinthe inner shell and between the inner` portion of the movable head and pump piston, a pump chamber, there also being provided, in the space which is defined by the inner and outer shells, the outer portion of the movable head and the fixed head, a rebound chamber, said devicel comprising a valve construction .between the pump chainber and the compression chamber which permits a flow of air from the pump chamber tothe compression chamber,also a relief valve between the pump chamber aid'theI rebound chamber to vperi'nit a flow of air from the chamber. y .Y

"7. nair-cushioning device of the .class described comprising in combination a body member having an outer shell, a piston rod with a pump pistonv carried thereby, anv

ner and outerportions of a movable head at the upper end-.of said inner shell, which outerhead portion is provided with' packing rings that engage said 'outer shell and pump chamber into the rebound .axle member having an inner shell, and inwhich inner head portion i-s provided with' a packing ring that engages Said. pistonrod, said outer shell ,also having a fixed head which extends to the'inner shell, there being.

izo l provided, in the space Abetween the outerv shell, the pistonrod and the movablehead, a compression chamber. and within the inner shell and between the inner portion of" the movable head and pump piston, i

a rebound chamber, said device comprising a valve construction between` the pump chamber and the compression clia-inber which permits a flow of air from the pump chamber to the compression chamber, arelief valve between the pump chamber and the rebound chamber to permit a fiow of air from the pump chamber into the rebound chamber, andl a second relief valve whereby when the pressure within the pump chamber and the rebound chamber exceeds a certain amount air can csape from one'ot said chambers. l 8. Au ail-cushioning device of the class described comprising in combination an outer shell7 a piston rod `arried thereby, a

e pump piston at the lower end of said rod,

a` fixed head secured to the lower end of said outer "shell, an innerl shell which fits and slides in said fixed head. said inner f shell having at the npperend thereof a movable head comprising an outer portion whichfits and engages the outer shell and an inner port-ion which fits and slides alongsaid rod, and a lower head secured to the lower end of said inner shell, the construction being 'such that tlieie is provided a coinpression chamber within the outer casing above the upperinovable head,y a pump chamber which is defined by the inner portion of said movable head,v the piston rod, the pump piston atthe end of the rod and the inner shell portion, a rebound.

chamber which isdeincd by the 'inner shell.

the cuter portion: of said movable head at,

the end o said shell", the outer shell and the' fixed head carried by `the outer shell. and a storage space which isA defined by the pump piston at the end of the piston rod, the inner shell and the movable head secured to thep'lowcr eind of said shell. there being a valve controlled passage way leading from the rebound chamber to the storage space which passageway is normally closed when Aair within thecompression-chamber is bcing expanded and which is open when the air within the con'ipresslion chamber is be` ing contracted. L

9. An air-cushioning device of' the Aclass described comprising in. combination an outershell,y a piston iod carried thereby, a pump piston at the lower end of said rod. a fixed head secured to the lower end of said outer shell, an inner shell which fits and` slides insaid fixed head. said inner shell having at the upper end thereof a movable head comprising an outer portion which fits and engages the outer shell and an inner' portion which fits and slides along said rod` and a lower head secured to the lower end of said inner shell, there beingv provided a compression chamber within the outerzcasing above the upper movable head. a Ptlnip chamber which is defined by theinnerportion of SaidD movable head, the piston rod, the pump Apiston at the endet' the rod land the inner shell portion, a rebound chamber which is defined by the inner shell, the outer portion of said movable head at the end ot' said shell,- the outer shell and the fixed head carried by the outer shell. and a storage space which is defined by the pump piston at the end of the piston rod, the inner .shell and the movable head secured'to the lower end of said shell, the construction being such outer shell, a' lpiston rod carried thereby, a

pump piston at the lower end of said rod. a fixed head secured to the. ylower end ofsai'd outer sliell, an inner shell which fits and slides in said fixed head.` said inner shell having at the upper end thereof` a movable head comprising an outer portion which fits and engages the ontw-.shell and ali inner portion which fits and slides along said rod. and aA lower head secured to the lower end of said inner shell,the'eonstruction beingr such that there, is provided a compression chainber within the outer casing above the upper i'novable head` a pump chamber which is defined by the inner portion of said' movable head, the piston rod. the pump piston at the .end'of the rod and the inner shell `portion.

a rebound chamber which is defined b v the inner shell, the outer. portion .ot said mbvable head at the cud of' said shell. the. outer 'by the pump piston at the 'end of the piston rod. the inner shell and the movable head secured to the lower end oi said shell. there being a valve controlled passageway leadingt from the. rebound chamber to the storage space which passageway is normally closed when air within the compression chamber is being: expanded and whiehis open when the air within 'the compression chamber is being contracted. there also being a valve controlled passage way leading from the extern atmosphere to the storage space that permits the entranceof air into Athe storage space but which prevents the flow of air from said storage space to the atmosphere.

il. An air-cushioning device of ,the class described vcomprising in combination an outer shell, a pistomrod carried thereby. a pump piston at the lower end of said rod.

a .fixed headsecinedto the lower end of said outer shell, an inner shell which fits and slides in said fixed head, said inner shellhaving' at the upper end thereof a movable head comprising an outer portion which vfits and engages the outer shell and an inner iin portionwhich tits and slides along said rod, and a lower head secured to the lower end ,*Dtv said inner shell. the construction being .euch that there is provided a compression .fcl'iamber withinthe outer casing above the f upper movable head. a pump chamber which is defined b v the iimer portion of' said movv'able head. the piston rod. the pump piston Aat the end ot the rod and the inner shell portion. a rebound chambei'- which is defined ,by the inner shell. the outer portion of said movable head at the end of said `shell. the

outer shell and the fixed head carried by the yout-er shell. and a storage space which is defined b v the pump piston at the end of the i piston rod. the inner shell and the movable head secured to the lower 'end ofl ysaid shell. there being a valve controlled passageway .Qleading from the rebound chamber to the d .closed when air storage space which passageway is normally within the compression chamber is being expanded and which is 'fopen when the air within the -compression jchamberis being contracted. there also befing a alve controlled passageway leading from the exterior atmosphere to the storage vspace that permitsI the entrance of air into the storage spactx but which prevents the v.flow of air from said storage space to the atmosphere and a valve controlled passage- I wav leading from the pump chamber into the. storage space,whereby when the pressure within the pump (-.hamber exceeds a certain amount pump chamber into the, storage space.

air can escape from the 12. An aii-clisliioning device of the class alescribed comprising in 'combination an outer shell, a piston rod carried thereby.. a pump piston at thel lower end' of ksaid rod, a fixed head secured to the lower end of said outer shell. an inner shell which fits and slides in said fixed head. said inner shell having at the upper end thereof a movable head 'comprising an outer portion which fits and engages the `outer shell and an inner portion which fits and slides along said rod.

and a lowerhead secured t0 the lower end of said inner shell. the construction being such that there is provided a compression chamber within the outer casing above the upper movable head. a pump chamber which is defined by the inner portion of said movable head. the piston rod. the pump piston ,at the end of the rod and the inner shell porstorage, space which passageway is normally 'chamber is being contracted. there also being a valve controlled passageway leading from the, exterior atmosphere to the sto age space. that permits the entrance of air into the storage space but which prevents't-hc flow of air from Said storage space to the atmosphere and a valve Ycontrolled passageway leading from the pump chamber into the storage space whereby when the pressure within the pump .chamber exceeds a certain amount air can es lape. from the pump chamber into the storage space. the inner shell having a relief valve for perinitting'the flow of air from the pump chamber into the rebound chamber.

13. An air-cushioning device` ot'l the class described comprising in combination an outer shell. a piston rod carried thereby. a punip 4 piston at the lower end of `said rod. a fixed head secured to the lower end of said outer shell, an inner shell which fits and slides in said fixed head, said inner shell having at the upper end thereof a movable head comprising an outer portion which fits and slides along the interior of the outer` shell and an inner portion which fits and slides along said rod, anda lower head secu-red to the'lower end of-said inner shell. the con-I struction being such that there provided( a compression chamber within the outer casing above the upper mo vable h aid. a pump?y chamber which is defined by the innerportion of said movable head. the piston rod, the pump piston at the end ot' the rod and the innergsliell portion. a rebound chamber which is defined by the inner shell. the outer lportion of said movable head at the` end ot 'said shell. the outer shell and the fixed head `arried by the outer shell. and a storage space which is defined by the pump piston aty the end of the piston rod. the inner shell 'and the movable. liead'secured to the lower end of 'said shell, there. being a valve controlled passageway leading from the rebound chamber to the storage space which .passageway is normally closed whein air I air can escape from the pump'chamber into.

thestorage space, the inner shell also having a reliefvalve for permitting the vflow of air from the pump chamber intothe rebound chamber. i y. M

14. On air-'cushioning device of theclass described comprising in combination a fixed member and a movable member which are constructed so as to provide a compression chamber, a pump for supplying air tosaid compresslon chamber, a rebound chamber 1n which auf. is compressed while being, ex

panded in the compression chamber, and

means for automatically permitting the escape of air 'from the rebound chamber during the time that theyair within the compression chamber is being compressed.

1 15, An air-cushioning device of the class described comprising in combination a body member having fan outer shell, a piston rodi lcarried by said shell, a piston at the end of .said rod, a fixed head carried by said outer movable head and said fixed heada pump chamber between the upper movable head and the piston, and a storage space between the piston and the lower movable head, the construction also being such that the pump 4tores air into the compression chamber when 1 6. An air-cushioning device of the' class described comprising in combina-tion a body member havin an outer shell, a pistonrod the volume within said chamber is increas- "carried by sai shell, a piston at the end of said rod, a `fixed head carried by-said` outer shell, and a movable axle member comprising an inner shell having thereupon an upper movable head that engages the outer shelllv and said rod.and a lower movable head,"the` exterior of said inner shell``slidably engaging the fixed head and theinner portion of said inner shell slidabilyv engaging the piston which is located below said upper movable head, theconstruction being such that there is a compression chamber within the outer shell and'above the upper movable head, a rebound chamber below said movable head between the inner-and outer shells the movable head and said fixed head, a pump chamber between the upper movable head and the piston, and a storage space between the piston and the lower movable head, the construction also being such that the pump forces air into the compression chamber when the volume within said chamber is increasing, said device havin a valve controlledpassageway 'which pe `mits thefiow of air from vthe rebound chamber into the storage vspace when the volume of the space within the compression chamber is decreasing.

17. The combination with an underframe and axle of a vehicle of an air-cushioning device comprising a body member connected to the underframe and a movable memberfconnccted to the axle, said body member comprising a connected outer shell and pump piston and'also having afixed head, said axle member or movable member comprising an inner shell having a movablehead which fits said outer shell and the rod carrying said pump piston, said inner Shell fitting the head of said outer shell, a cap or cover which is connected to the lower end of the inner shell and to'the axle the construction being' such that there is provided within the outer' shell and above said head on thel inner shell a compression chamber, between the under side of said last mentioned head and the pump piston, a pump chamber from which air is pumped into the compression chamber when the volume of the compression chamber isincreasing, and between the under side of said head on the inner shell and the. stationary head on the body member a rebound chamber, and means dependent upon the direction in which the axle member is moving relative to the body member for permitting the escape of air from the rebound chamber.

18 A device of the class described comprising ingcombination a compression chamber, a pump l`ftorl forcing air into the compression cha'lriber while air is being expanded in said compression chamber, a rebound chamber,`and means for automatically releasing-air entrapped in the rebound cha'mber prior to or at the commencement of the compressing of air inthe compression chamber.

y 19. An air-cushioning device of theclass described comprising in combination a compression chamber, a pump chamber, means fo permitting' air to flow 'from the pump chamber into the compression chamber, a re- .bound chamber, means for permitting air yto ow\from the pump chamber into the rebound. chamber when the pressure within the pumpl chamber exceeds a certain amount, a storage chamber from which air is received into the pump, and means for permitting a flow of air from the rebound chamber into the storage chamber when the compression chamber is-decr'easing in volume.

'20. An air-cuff" onine device of the class described comprising in combination a compression ehambcr, a pump for supplying,r air tothe compression chamber, a rebound chamber', means for permitting a flow of air from .the pump into the rebound chamber, a storage chamber, means for permitting air when a sufficient pressure has been reached within the pump to flow into the storage chamber and means for permitting air to how from' the rebound chamber into the storage chamber during the period when air is being compressed m the compression chamber.

21. An air-cushioning device of the class O described comprising in combination an outer shell member and a coperating piston member which provide between them a compression space, said members being constructed so that they also coperate to pro- .5 vide a pump by which airis forced into the compression space, and a liquid seal through which air from the pump must pass on its way to the compression space.

22. vAn air-cushioning device of the class 50 described comprising in combination an outer shell, an inner shell having a head slidable in said outer. shell, said inner and outer shells carrying members which constitute a pump forforcing air into a compression l5 chamber provided between said inner and outer shells, and liquid covering` the upper end of said inner shell in a manner to sea the sliding `ioint between the head and the outer shell and in a manner to Separatethe l0 pump from the compression chamber, the

construction being such that the air from the pump passes through said liquid on its wav to the compression chamber.

23. An air-cushioning device'of the classv described comprising in combination an outer shell -having a cap carrying a piston Yrod upon the lower end of which there is a ump pistonand at the lower end of said shell a head, an inner shell having at the 40 upper en'dthereoi:l an outer head which slidably engages the interior of the outer shell and an inner head which slidably engages said piston rod, a packing ring on said inner head and arranged to oppose the flow of fluid downwardly along said` rod past said packiiigring said packing ring being conn structed so as to permit theiiow of fluid from a pump chamber at one side of the packing ring upwardly into a compression chamber at Vthe other side of lthe packing ring, 'a packingring on said outer head and arranged to oppose the flow a liqpast said last-mentioned packing ring,

uid seal covering said inner and outer heads,

said inner shell slidably fitting the head on l the outer shell, the space defined by the outer shell, the inner shell, the outer head on the inner shell and the head on the outer shell serving as a rebound chamber, the walls of `the inner shell having a passageway'therein for permitting a flow of air from the rebound chamber into a storage space thatis also provided in the inner shell, and a valve adapted to be jicratively connected to an of Huid downwardly along the interior of said outer shell connected to said yoke,

axle of the vehicle for permitting How, when open, into the storage space from the rebound chamber.

24. An air-cushioning device of, the class described comprising incombination a fixed member and, a movable member which pro vide between them a compression chamber,

a pump, a rebound chamber, and a storage chamber, which pump is constructed and arranged so as to receive air from the storage chamber, and so as to force air into the compression chamber, said device also hav# ing a valve controlled passageway for permitting a flow of air from the rebound cham-v ber into the storage chamber.

described comprising in combination a compression chamber, a pump chamber, a -rebound chamber, and a storage chamber,A

said device having valve controlled means for permitting the ow of air from the pump chamber into the compression chamber when the compression chamber is en# andino' involume and the um chamber vand the rebound chamber are contracting in volume, the construction of the device also air from thev storage chamber when the pump chamber is expanding in volumeand the storage chamber is contracting in voll being such that the pump chamber receives ume, the device also being provided with a passageway leading from the pump chamber tothe storage chamber, which passageway'is controlledl by a relief valve.

26. An air-cushioning device of the class ydescribed comprising in `combination a compression chamber, a pump that forces air into the compression chamber, a' rebound chamber, and means for permitting air to 'i escape', fromN-he pump into the rebound for allowing air to escape from the rebound chamber"l when the compression chamber is decreasing in volume.

28. In' combinatfon an underframe, an axle and an air-cushioning devicev comprising a member secured to the underframe and .a movable member connected to the axle by means comprising a voke member which clamps the axle, a socket member which is mounted in said socket member which rod is connected to said movable member.

29. An aircushioning,devic`e comprising an inner member and an outer member mov-4 ion` creases in volume when the compressionfll chamber is increasing in volume, and means` l?? and a rod'slidably 80 25. An air-cushioning device of the4 class;

chamber is increasing involuiiic, and means for permitting air Ato fiow from the rebound chamber when the rebouiidchamber is increasinv :in volume. Y

30. r n air-cushioning,- device of the class described eoniprising in combination a compression chamber, a pump chamber, and a rebound chamber provided Withwalvc con-. trolled means vhich pcrimts'a fiow of an' from the'rebound chamber dui-mg thc pc riod when the compression cl'ia'mbcr is contracting in volume. Y

31. An air-cushioning device of thc class described comprising in combination a cominto the compression chaii'ibcr. a rebound chamber which expands in volume when thc compression chamber is contractingr in volume and vice versa, said device having' a paschamber and which passageway is controlled by a valve that is closed when the rebound chamber is contracting; in volume and that is open when the rebound chamber is expanding1 in volume.

32. A device or' the classlescribed comprising in combination. a compression chamber, a, pump for forcing,lr air into the compression chamber when the compression chamber is expanding in vohnne, a rebound chamber which decreases in volume as'tlie compression chamber expands in volume, a storage chamber in conm'iunication 'with the rebound chamber when the rebound chamber is increasing in volume, and a valve for closing this communication, when the rebound chai-uber is decreasing in volume, the construction being such that. the )ump rc'- ceivcs air from' the storage cham )cr when ythe compression chamber is decreasing in volume.

pression chamber, a pump for forcingr .air

sageway in communication ywith the rebound i l i 2331A device of the class described comprismg in combination a compression chamrbei', a pump for forcing air into the compression chamber as the compression chambci' increases in volume, and a storage chambcifn'om which the pump receives air when thc compression chamber is decreasing in volume, said device .being provided with a passageway lcadingfrom the pump chamber to the'istoragc chamber and which passageava)y is"V controlled by a relief valve that permits alfiow of air from the pump to the storage chamber wheny the pressure within the pump exceeds alpredcterinined; amount.

34. ai device of the class described com'- prisi-irg in Vcombination a compressionl chamber, a pump which forces air into thc compression chamber when the compression.,

chamber is expanding in voluinc, a storgige chamber, and a rebound chamber which lincreases in volume as the compression chamber decreases in volume andat which time the pump receives air from the storagechainbei', said device being provided with a relier' valve which permits a flow of air from 'the pump to the storage chamber when thc pifessure Within the pump exceeds a [n'edetermined amount.

35. A device of the class described compricingr incombination a compression chamber, a pump for forcing air into the compression chamber, a rebound chamber which expands when the compression chamber contracts, and a storage chamber, said device being provided with a valve controlled passageway leading from the rebound chamber to thc storage chamber' whichv passageway is open when the compression chamber is de creasing in volume, said device also .having a passageway controlled by a relief valve and lwhich passageway leads from the pump to the 'storage chamber and allows the escape of air from the pump into the storage chambei' when the pressure Within the pump exceeds a'predetermined amount.

. This specification signed andwvitnesscd this third day of Feb. A. D; 1917. ANSON M.l BANGS. Signed in the presence. of-

C. DANIEL FRIEBELY, i STOVER H. Niews.. 

